I am sure you have heard the story before- a family sets out on a bear hunt, they come to long grass. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. We've got to go through it etc. This scenario repeats over and over, just with different obstacles.
Eventually the family finds the bear, gets scared and has to run back through all the obstacles to their safe home. It is a great story full of imagination. But what makes this a classic book to read aloud?
First, the book has all sorts of repetition that older children will pick up on and begin reading with you while at the same time younger children will like knowing what to expect. Second, this book has silly words like squelch, squerch, splash, splosh and swishy, swashy. Kids love hearing those silly words being read aloud so much. Just the sound of them makes them giggle. Lastly, this book is great because motions and music can be added. What kid does not like a book with motions and music?
We're Going on a Bear Hunt has inspired countless of other authors to write their own version. Just a couple that I have in my own library are We're Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root and It's a Tiger by David LaRochelle. What books do you have in your library that were inspired by We're Going on a Bear Hunt?
Happy Reading!
Laura
Here is Michael Rosen (author) performing the book. Watch to teach your kids the motions!
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